dg_cain | a little holiday cheer... (for winter challenge)

*waves* So, I decided to pull the Cain/DG arc out of the Uber!Holiday Post at

tinman_fic. Partly because it's DG/Cain ~~and my first TRUE DG/Cain, as everything else has been hints, etc~~, and partly because it fits in the Winter Challenge. Cross-posted to

tin_and_jewels

Merry Christmas!!

Title: I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas (Part One)
Author: Erin (

erinm_4600)
Characters, Pairing: Cain (mentions of DG, Raw, Glitch, Jeb, Az, Adora, Zero and the Queen)
Rating: G
Summary: While on a mission for the Queen, Cain gets a letter from DG
Warning: post-series
Disclaimer: The original characters belongs to L. Frank Baum and their respective actors. The current characters belong to Sci-Fi, the movie folks and their respective actors. Lyrics belong to 'N Sync, etc.
Word Count: 969 (doesn't count lyrics)

That I never knew the meaning of Christmas // Till you came into my life // I was lost in the dark // Till you opened my heart // Like an angel shining bright

Dear Cain,

Hope this finds you well. I know that Christmas isn't a thing in the O.Z., which is TOTALLY sad, because Christmas is awesome! There's Christmas trees, and lights, and FOOD - oh my God the food...

Anyway!

Another great thing about Christmas is presents. Depending on who you ask, getting is better than giving. Personally, I kinda like the giving. Makes you think about what the person you're giving a present to would like, or need... or even appreciate. My one friend and I used to give each other presents that were pineapple-related. Don't worry about what a pineapple is - it's not important. The whole thing was just a joke between us, and don't bother asking me to explain it because it really is THAT stupid and not worthy of wasting the time of an important soldier/bodyguard/Tin Man/rugged, outdoorsy-type such as yourself.

Okay, I'm back. Had to go smack my head on the nearest doorframe for managing to write a ramble (and I know how much you love a ramble) *my eyes are rolling -now-*

Anyway... hope all's well and everyone's good and you're taking care of yourself; bossing everyone around with that angry-face and everything. Glitch says to say 'Hi' and to make sure I remind you to: "Listen to the rhythm." ...whatever that means. Raw was here a few days ago. His visits are becoming about as frequent as yours. Actually, Az did remind me that, as Princess, I do (apparently) have the power to order you to visit. Go figure!

Forgot one more thing: I’ve been doing my homework, and (apparently) the particular section of the O.Z. you’re in, is considered the rough part of town. So, if you find yourself in the northern part of the eastern half of the Eastern Territory, and you hear a high-pitched squeaking sound: RUN LIKE HELL! If you find yourself in the central part of the eastern half of the Eastern Territory, and see a guy who looks like he’s made of stone: RUN LIKE HELL! And I haven’t figured out why we have a desert of death, so you should just stay in the western part of the Eastern Territory.

That last paragraph, consider it an ORDER; a Royal Decree or whatever. Seriously.

Stay safe.

DG
aka Kiddo/Princess/Royal Pain-in-the-Ass (Come on! You know you thought it! And, if you didn't, I obviously haven't done my job!)

p.s. If there's nothing with this letter, you have my permission to shoot whoever delivered it. Seriously! I put a lot of effort into that gift! Okay, maybe just a little effort. Kinda.

p.p.s. I don't even know if you use p.s. in the O.Z.. Pretty much means that there's something I forgot to say.

p.p.p.s. Oh, and each extra p means that I forgot something else. Like telling you this in the p.p.s. Oh, hey... the door frame is calling me over.

Please give my best, and my thanks, to everyone there. Merry Christmas!!!

Cain shook his head as he refolded the letter from DG. As hectic as his life seemed to be when she was around, he really did miss the distraction of keeping her out of trouble.

That would be preferable, especially now, when he was stuck out here in the middle of the Eastern Territory with a rag-tag regiment of volunteer soldiers. He'd refused to go back to the Tin Men following the Eclipse. There was no point, really. The Tin Men had disbanded themselves when the Longcoats took over, and there was no way the people of the O.Z. would take the squad seriously.

At least, not yet. The Queen had requested that Cain help to restore some assemblance of order to the O.Z., acting as an agent to her throne as she attended to matters closer to home. The Zone would have to be rebuilt, practically from the bottom up, and the Queen needed people she trusted to help.

Right now, the people she trusted numbered four - well, there were more, but four she trusted without question: Wyatt Cain, ex-Tin Man; Raw, the Viewer; Ambrose, who answered to Glitch more often than Ambrose. She trusted these three men with her life - and the lives of her family and her subjects - because the last person she wholly trusted, was her younger daughter.

DG had placed her absolute trust in Cain, Glitch and Raw - and they in her - and that was all the Queen needed to know. These three men had kept DG alive and she would be eternally grateful. These men were also responsible for the safe return of her older daughter and her husband - who'd actually been due more to the witch possessing Az, but that was neither here nor there.

Cain found leaving for this mission much more difficult than he'd have even expected. Having spent so much time alone, dwelling on the thoughts of his wife, son and Zero, that he'd given up on anything else. After years of being tortured by that damn projector and his failures eating him from the inside out, the idea that this crazy girl - brandishing nothing more than a stick - would suddenly cause him to make rash decisions and... hug...

Cain shivered at the thought and chuckled slightly as he realized that, after everything, DG had brought him back to the living. Granted, he was far from mended - and, honestly, probably would never be - but he no longer felt guilty for laughing or smiling.

And whatever this attached present was, Cain could only assume that he wouldn't appreciate it as much as the gift DG'd already given him. Because of DG, he'd been given a second chance. With the O.Z., with his son, with himself.

And that was the best present Cain could ask for.

~*~

Title: Love's in Our Hearts on Christmas Day (Part Two)
Author: Erin (

erinm_4600)
Characters, Pairing: Cain (mentions of DG, Glitch, Jeb and Adora)
Rating: G
Summary: Cain opens his present
Warning: post-series
Disclaimer: The original characters belongs to L. Frank Baum and their respective actors. The current characters belong to Sci-Fi, the movie folks and their respective actors. Lyrics belong to 'N Sync, etc.
Word Count: 538 (doesn't count lyrics)

You've got my heart on Christmas // Inside my soul your love remains // Love's in our hearts on Christmas day

Cain set DG's letter aside and looked at the package, wrapped in simple brown paper and tied with a string. There was a strange tree-looking drawing on a piece of the paper - Cain could only assume this was the Christmas tree DG wrote about. Pulling the string loose, then the paper, Cain raised an eyebrow at the sight of his old tin box.

One he was sure he'd left in its hiding place underneath the house. He frowned and slowly flipped the latches. Raising the lid, Cain noted at least a dozen objects of various shapes, sizes and colors. Sitting on top, was another letter.

READ ME FIRST

Shaking his head, Cain reached for the paper and found it was simply folded in half.

Hey Cain,

I'm writing this now - and I'll write another one later - to kind of explain this (and I'll probably end up repeating myself, so just deal with it!).

I've been wracking my brain to come up with a good Christmas present for you - and, I know that you don't know Christmas, and that's another story for another time - and after all my contemplating and back-and-forths, I find that the one present I would like to give you is physically impossible. Believe me, I asked my mother more than once... and there's just no way...

So, I figured that, since I couldn't give you her... maybe I could give you things of hers.

Cain didn't realize he'd been holding his breath. Dropping his hand, Cain looked again to the items in his case. One hand still clutching the note, Cain reached into the box and pushed one of the top items aside. There was a framed picture of Jeb as an infant, and another of Jeb and himself; some of Adora's hair decorations; a scarf; a mug... and that was just what he could see without removing anything.

Taking a deep breath, Cain blinked a few times before returning to DG's note.

Glitch and I went to your house first. You only took the stuff in the box with you, and because of the situation, we figured you probably didn't look around too much. We also went back to the other cabin and picked up this and that. We also put decent flowers down (which isn't part of the present - I just thought you should know).

Again, because of the situation, I know you didn't get a proper chance to grieve... so I'm hoping this was the right thing and doesn't actually make it worse. Maybe Jeb will be able to tell you stories about some of this stuff... and, if he acts up, tell him that the Princess thinks he was a beautiful baby. Preferably in front of others.

Love DG (and Glitch)

Oh, and technically, you're now guilty of receiving stolen property. Sorry about that.

Cain let out something between a cry and a laugh and looked out over the camp. The men were having dinner, talking about their friends and family; discussing the day's events and what was to come. Taking a deep breath, Cain set the note aside and began going through the box.

DG had, once again, gone above and beyond Cain's expectations.

~*~

Title: In Love on Christmas (Part Three)
Author: Erin (

erinm_4600)
Characters, Pairing: Cain (mentions of DG, Jeb, Adora, the Mystic Man and the Queen)
Rating: G
Summary: Cain responds to DG's letters
Warning: post-series
Disclaimer: The original characters belongs to L. Frank Baum and their respective actors. The current characters belong to Sci-Fi, the movie folks and their respective actors. Lyrics belong to 'N Sync, etc.
Word Count: 579 (doesn't count lyrics)

Last year, Christmas // It happened without us // I was all mixed up and confused // I didn't know what to do baby // I never thought I'd feel this way

Princess,

I will not address you by your referred salutation from your first letter - which I assume was written after the second - regardless of how correct it may be.

As to your three "Royal Decree or whatever"s: Consider all noted and promptly ignored. Especially the first.

As for the package...

I've been trying to compose a response that is longer than two words, but I'm not having much luck.

You do get one free hug, the next time our paths cross.

Please tell your mother that we will be moving southwest within days.

We hope to meet Jeb, who is moving northeast. Will send word if anything changes.

W.Cain

Cain gave the note a final glance before folding it and sealing it into the Royal pouch. The rider was currently having dinner, and would be rested and ready to go in a few hours.

The note was probably far too personal, especially as the recipient was royalty, but Cain couldn't bring himself to leave the note official. He didn't want to offend DG, as he was sure she was already upset enough that she hadn't seen him in almost an annual. He wasn't positive - and anyone who'd read her last letters wouldn't see it, because they didn't know her - but there was something in her words.

He had no intention of wishing her misery, but he also had an inkling of her feelings. They'd both been dropped into this new world - her, literally - and it should only be fair that he wasn't the only one miserable. Of course, she was with her family; his son was off on his own royal mission. She had mentioned, just before he left, that while they were her family, DG couldn't quite get over the fact that she really didn't know them.

It had been a few weeks since he'd received the package - sadly, this was actually the first time he’d had to sit and compose a message - and, judging by the time it took for the riders to deliver dispatches, it had been roughly six weeks. He hoped she knew that it was nothing against her that he hadn't responded sooner.

He'd found himself looking at the contents of the box on and off, usually while waiting to fall asleep, but every thought of his wife using the various items DG had packed, brought Cain to thoughts of DG. Honestly, he'd been thinking about DG for a long while, and that unsettled him a great deal.

He'd fulfilled his promise to the Mystic Man; made sure that DG was well-protected before he left on this mission; and had no reason to worry about her. She was his friend; the first friend he'd had in all those years. After that week, he'd realized that he not only enjoyed her company, but was happy to be alive.

It's not like he was falling in love with her. Hell, he was almost twice her age; a father and a widower. She had her whole life ahead of her and would find some young regal-type who could promise her the moon - and both suns - and give her lots of curly-haired, blue-eyed children. Of course, having blue eyes himself, Cain would have better chances of giving DG those blue-eyed children.

Cain's head shot straight up as his brain registered what he'd just been thinking. Twisting in discomfort, Cain sighed heavily and muttered: "I must be losin' my mind."

~*~

Title: All I Want is You This Christmas (Part Four)
Author: Erin (

erinm_4600)
Characters, Pairing: Cain, Jeb and the Queen (mentions of Adora and DG)
Rating: G
Summary: Cain and Jeb have 'the talk,' whether Cain wants to or not
Warning: post-series
Disclaimer: The original characters belongs to L. Frank Baum and their respective actors. The current characters belong to Sci-Fi, the movie folks and their respective actors. Lyrics belong to 'N Sync, etc.
Word Count: 845 (doesn't count lyrics)

I don't want the love of any other girl // I want only one thing in this whole wide world // Nothing else will do // All I want is you this Christmas

Another annual had passed in the O.Z., and Cain and his regiment had moved to the southwest - putting them, currently, somewhere in western part of the central portion of the Eastern Territory. If the Queen had told him two annuals ago - when she dispatched him - that he'd still be dealing with strife in the Eastern Territory two annuals later, he'd have gladly withdrawn from service and returned to the cabin by the lake.

They'd done wonders with the O.Z. in all that time - in the defense of the passage of time - but Cain was tired, lonely and especially homesick. Meeting up with Jeb had helped, but Cain was still cranky. He was even missing Glitch's company - and that was saying something!

The first night in camp after Jeb's arrival had led to an evening of reminiscing over the contents of the box DG had sent, and Cain was glad to hear the stories. Jeb had also brought news that he was in love. Cain couldn't be happier - albeit, a little jealous - that his son had found someone to spend the rest of his life with. All the adversity of the boy's life wouldn't hold him back.

Jeb had always been considered the man of the house after his father had been put in the iron suit, but after their most recent conversation, Cain felt like the child.

"How much longer are you gonna wait?" Jeb asked while prodding their campfire with a long stick. Cain looked up from his mug and raised an eyebrow.

"Wait for what?" He made the mistake of taking a sip as Jeb continued:

"Telling the Princess that you've fallen in love with her." Cain lurched forward, coughing deeply. Taking a moment to recover - that liquid was far too hot to be going down the wrong pipe - his brow furrowed.

"Excuse me?" Jeb couldn't catch the smile before it crept up his face, but straightened anyway.

"I love you, Dad. But, sometimes, you are thicker than the door of an iron suit." Cain couldn't help but grin at the analogy, but still wasn't sure what his son was referring to. Jeb could see the gears turning behind his father's eyes and decided to not keep him waiting. "It's much more obvious now." Cain swallowed and shifted, which made Jeb smile again.

"I think love has gotten to you, Son." Jeb shook his head. There was no way he would let Cain back out of this one.

"I should have known, annuals back, just before the Eclipse. At first, I thought it was your Tin Man-sense of duty. You were so insistent on finding her and-"

"Jeb," Cain jumped in, raising a hand to his son.

"And, now, the moment her name comes up, you try and change the subject." Jeb eyed his father, waiting for the elder man to flinch. He let the silence hold another moment, then leaned forward. "It's been ten years, Father. You are allowed to fa-" Cain raised a hand and closed his eyes. Jeb sighed and pushed himself up from the log he'd been sitting on. Moving past his father, Jeb stopped and placed a hand on Cain's shoulder.

"I want to see you happy. And in the short time I saw you together..." Jeb sighed softly. "I saw someone who brings out the best in you." He gave Cain's shoulder a squeeze and moved away. Cain let his head drop and sighed heavily.

"Jeb," he called out, just before the younger man moved out of earshot. Twisting to face Jeb, Cain looked to his son and asked: "How'd you get so smart when it comes to love?" Jeb glanced away for a moment then smiled at his father.

"I had a good teacher." Cain half-smiled and half-laughed. "And," Jeb added, "I met someone who made me want to be more like him than ever." Nodding, Jeb turned away and walked back toward the tents of his squadron. He had made it about three steps when he turned suddenly.

"Oh," he said, raising a finger. "And when this is all over," he motioned to the surrounding camp, "she won't let you walk away." Cain smirked as he watched Jeb turn and begin to mingle with some of the soldiers. Cain turned back to his mug and looked at the fire.

A few weeks later, Cain filed his final report.

Your Majesty,

I hope this finds you well.

This will be the last dispatch from the field. We've done all we can do; the rest is up to the people of the O.Z.

The men are rather looking forward to returning home to their families.

Regards,
W.Cain

The Queen smiled as she read over the letter. Refolding the page, she picked up the envelope and noticed another piece of paper. Pursing her lips as she pulled out the smaller scrap, the Queen smiled as she read over the added note.

p.s. I wish to inform you that - upon my return - I intend to kiss your daughter.

~*~

Title: The Only Gift (Part Five)
Author: Erin (

erinm_4600)
Characters, Pairing: DG, Glitch, Raw, Az, Ahamo and the Queen (mentions of Jeb and Cain)
Rating: G
Summary: DG's brooding for the third Christmas
Warning: post-series
Disclaimer: The original characters belongs to L. Frank Baum and their respective actors. The current characters belong to Sci-Fi, the movie folks and their respective actors. Lyrics belong to 'N Sync, etc.
Word Count: 542 (doesn't count lyrics)

For in my wishful heart // There was one simple truth // The only gift I wanted was you

Another year - 'Annual,' DG thought, rolling her eyes - had passed in the O.Z. It was as near to Christmas Eve as her O.Z. calendar could get. Honestly, this year, she really didn't feel like celebrating. Which was sad, because Raw was finally back at the palace, so he and Glitch had taken to helping make her days much more entertaining - even if all they did was sit around and make jokes about how much more exciting life was when the Papay were still life-threatening hunters.

Mother had received word that the troops were finally leaving the Eastern Territories, but DG hadn't heard from Cain. In fact, other than the letter saying he'd received last year's Christmas gift, she hadn't had any correspondence from him since the reply to her reply to his reply. Not that there was much to either.

When she'd received his note that he was choosing to ignore her warning about the Wheelers, she'd sent back a witty reply of "Just make that face - you know the one - and they'll run away," complete with a large smiley face.

His response was simply: "Why do you think I have that face?"

DG had hoped that the banter would continue, bringing them back to wherever it was they were. Unfortunately, the following notes were all completely official and directed to the Queen. Az had been so sick of DG's moping that she'd cornered her sister and demanded an explanation.

"How do you know it's not just a schoolgirl crush, Deeg? If you continue to pine, you'll miss out on-" DG reached out for her sister.

"Az, please. I understand what you're saying. And, really," DG stood up from the sofa and moved to the window. "Maybe, at first, there was a crush... But, I'm not pining. Honestly. The man doesn't even see me like- It's not that I want him to-" She realized that the more she spoke, the deeper the hole she was in became. Taking a deep breath, DG turned to her sister.

"Sometimes, I just want to talk to my best friend. And please," she said with a frown. "Don't be offended that I just said that. I meant-" Az moved to her sister's side and pulled her into a hug.

"You're right. It's not pining." DG gave her a tiny laugh and let her head drop. "You're absolutely infatuated with the man," Az said with a Cheshire grin. DG made a face and rolled her eyes. "It's all right, baby sister. I won't tell him."

Currently, DG was standing in the parlor, poking at the ornaments on the tree - this year's looking much more like a Christmas tree should - and fiddling with the lights. Glitch and DG had worked out a rough set of twinkle lights; the tough part being the search for the smallest light bulbs the O.Z. had. In the end, even Ahamo was impressed at their ingenuity.

The Queen entered the room, followed by Az and Ahamo, and the three of them took seats on the sofas. Glitch moved over to DG as Raw stayed by the door. Glitch pointed to an ornament and made a comment which caused DG to laugh out loud.

"Hey there, Princess."

~*~

Title: Kiss Me at Midnight (Part Six)
Author: Erin (

erinm_4600)
Characters, Pairing: Cain, DG, Glitch, Raw, Jeb, Az, Ahamo and the Queen
Rating: G
Summary: Cain's finally home.
Warning: post-series
Disclaimer: The original characters belongs to L. Frank Baum and their respective actors. The current characters belong to Sci-Fi, the movie folks and their respective actors. Lyrics belong to 'N Sync, etc.
Word Count: 369 (doesn't count lyrics)

All of my friends are here and when the time is right // Kiss me at midnight

"Hey there, Princess."

DG caught her breath and spun around so fast that she had to grab on to Glitch's arm for support. She hoped that the utter disappointment in the pit of her stomach didn't show on her face as she saw Jeb Cain standing in the doorway.

"Mister Cain," she said with a nod. "Forgive me, I'm not familiar with your current rank." Jeb nodded and gave her a smile.

"Jeb, please." He threw a quick nod to the Queen and Azkadellia before returning his gaze to DG. "I have a message, from my father," he said slowly, with a slight frown. DG forced a smile and automatically looked to the tree.

"Hey there, Princess," she heard again. Without blinking, DG turned her head back in the direction of Jeb. There, between Jeb and Raw, stood Wyatt Cain, hat in hand. Glitch tapped DG's arm and she swatted at his hand. DG finally blinked and had to look at the floor to fight the smile she could feel in her stomach. Finally finding her voice, DG managed:

"Good message." Jeb looked to Cain, then back to DG. Az moved away from her parents and pulled Glitch toward her.

"That wasn't the message, actually. I didn't really feel... comfortable, delivering it." He waved a hand for Cain to proceed and gave his arm a quick, confident squeeze with the other. Cain took a few steps forward, as did DG, and he threw a quick glance toward the Queen. She focused on the wall opposite her; let her lip curl upwards so slightly that, had the lights been any dimmer, Cain would have missed it; and shifted her head in a nod just enough that, again, Cain almost missed it.

Looking back to DG, he gave her a genuine smile and - before she knew what had happened - had one arm around DG's waist and the other hand on her jaw. Having no idea what to do with her hands, DG simply stood there and let Cain do all the work. A second later, she felt her legs go mushy and Cain pulled back. Taking a second to remember how to form words, DG sighed:

"Yup... Good message."